Lionel Messi's return from injury could not inspire Barcelona to an away win as they were held to a goalless draw by Athletic Bilbao.

The Argentinian superstar returned from a thigh injury which kept him on the bench for the first hour of in their midweek Copa del Rey draw with Real Madrid.

They needed a man of the match display from goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to ensure they left San Mames with a point after a lacklustre display.

Ernesto Valverde's side missed out on the chance to move eight points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table, and the gap continues to close with just six points new separating the sides at the summit.

Athletic, meanwhile, gave their survival hopes a boost after being beaten by Real Sociedad last weekend.

Key Events

Alvarez goes into the book after pleading with the referee following the red card for De Marcos.

21:50

That is all for tonight folks, good night and thanks for joining us!

21:50

With Messi not fully fit, Barcelona never looked like scoring tonight and they will have to learn their lessons. They are now six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table, but their focus will now switch to their Champions League campaign. Bilbao need to move away from the relegation zone and with performances like that they should be fine.

21:48

Nothing comes of the VAR footage and we are forced to settle for a goalless draw in Bilbao. The visitors will count themselves lucky after they barely got going tonight despite their recent form. Bilbao will feel disappointed, mainly because they may not get a better chance to beat the league leaders for some time. Susaeta, Williams and Raul Garcia all went close, but they were denied by Ter Stegen. De Marcos’ sending off was a sour point but he will feel like he had to get in the way as Barcelona tried to attack.

21:3990+7 minsminute by minute

FULL-TIME - BILBAO 0-0 BARCELONA.

21:3990+4 minsminute by minute

Despite having a man advantage Barcelona are struggling to create a meaningful attack in stoppage time.

21:3890+6 minsminute by minute

Semedo goes down in the box after a late challenge but the referee is now consulting VAR,,,

21:37

Barca pegged back in title race

Full-time in Bilbao and Barcelona miss out on the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the La Liga table.

They were below par and in truth had keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to thank for emerging with a point.

(Image: LUIS TEJIDO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

21:3690+2 minsminute by minute

Bilbao now have three minutes to hang on before the full-time whistle. We are going to get an extra minute due to De Marcos' dismissal.

22:0490+1 minsminute by minute

RED CARD!!! De Marcos is sent for an early bath after he handles a Barcelona pass. He was tracking back towards his own goal before sticking out his elbow.

21:3390+1 minsminute by minute

Four minutes of stoppage time at the San Mames...

22:0186 minsminute by minute

Barcelona had won their last four away LaLiga games coming into tonight's game. They have never won five consecutive matches on the road in the competition under Valverde and that looks like continuing.

21:3190 minsminute by minute

Williams leaves the field to a round of applause, his replacement is Kodro.

21:3088 minsminute by minute

Lenglet seems to be struggling with that head knock so Valverde sends on Vermaelen.

21:2784 minsminute by minute

Bilbao are throwing everything at Barcelona and there is every chance they will snatch a winner if they keep this up.

21:2482 minsminute by minute

CHANCE!!!! Muniain bursts into the Barcelona box before picking out Williams. The striker takes a touch before setting himself, but Ter Stegen stays big and palms his effort away. That was a huge moment in this game!

21:2380 minsminute by minute

We have a break in play here as Lenglet needs treatment after suffering a head injury while trying to clear that cross.

21:23

10 mins remaining

(Image: Getty Images)

(Image: Getty Images)

(Image: LUIS TEJIDO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

21:2279 minsminute by minute

CHANCE - Muniain whips in a cross and Williams meets it at some serious speed, but he cannot steer his header towards goal.

21:2078 minsminute by minute

Busquets now enters the book after taking out Williams on the edge of the Barcelona box. This is a great chance for the home side to test Ter Stegen.

21:19

Will the deadlock be broken?

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

21:1875 minsminute by minute

Coutinho has barely touched the ball tonight and he is now replaced by Dembele. The latter is just back from injury and he has 15 minutes to prove his fitness and grab a winner.

21:1673 minsminute by minute

After a tough spell, Bilbao are now digging in and coming forward, but they have not tested Ter Stegen in the second half.

21:1572 minsminute by minute

Lenglet is now into the book after he smashes into Williams on the touchline. He looked to have got a slight touch to the ball and he tries to protest that as the card comes out.

21:1268 minsminute by minute

De Marcos goes into the book after a poor challenge.

21:0865 minsminute by minute

WIDE - After absorbing another Barcelona attack, Bilbao burst forward with Yuri. The winger turns inside from the touchline and picks out San Jose who glides into the path of the pass and shoots. His effort looks destined for the far corner, but he curls it just wide!

22:0064 minsminute by minute

Barcelona are offering more going forward but Suarez is still getting hardly any service. That quite simply need to improve in the final 25 minutes.

21:0663 minsminute by minute

Valverde now turns to his bench as Vidal comes off for Alena.

21:0358 minsminute by minute

There is more activity on the Bilbao defence, and it looks like Muniain is being told to get ready...

21:0462 minsminute by minute

It is Muniain that has been selected and he replaces Susaeta. The latter had a great first half but he has gone quiet in the second 45 minutes.